We only have an 11 pound turkey this year because of travel. I like to brine the turkey overnight, but have really never had a recipe for it other than Kosher salt, water, and brown sugar. Any suggestions from S2 to improve the brine for a small turkey?
It's been years since we brined a turkey, but we used what you list, but subbed cranberry juice for the water. It was damned good. Go Blazers
Apple cider, water, juniper berries, rosemary, thyme, garlic, kosher or sea salt, brown sugar or maple syrup, bay leaves and peppercorns is something my mom used to do all the time. It was extremely delicious
I always use 1 cup salt, 1 cup brown sugar... but I only brine the turkey when I'm going to deep fry it (which I have done every year for the past three years). This will seriously change your life.
Sounds pretty similar to the one I do. I use a few less spices and oranges. I think just the salt and apple juice would make a good turkey.
Here's my brine recipe. Obviously, the ice is for cooling the mixture down after brewing your brine "tea". Good luck! 1 lb Kosher Salt 5 lb Ice 1 lb Brown Sugar 1 cup Clover Honey 1 cup Blackstrap Molasses 1 tbsp. Black Peppercorns 1.5 tsp Allspice Berries 1.5 tsp Juniper Berries 1 tsp Whole Cloves 2 Cinnamon Sticks 1/2 tsp Nutmeg 2 Thyme Sprigs 1 Rosemary Sprig 4 Sage Leaves 2.5 oz Candied Ginger 5 oz Dried Apples 6.75 oz Dried Apricots 2 tbsp. Orange Peel
I really wanted to smoke my turkey, but it was too big for my little smoker. I think next year, I am going to smoke that shit!!!!! As far as the brine…. I love butter, garlic, salt and pepper with a hint of parsley.
Thanks for the suggestions. I went with garlic/brown sugar/water/apple cider/orange slices/thyme/rosemary/onions. Now to start the fasting until dinner time tomorrow!
Did you add salt? That's the key. It opens the pores of the meat and allows for the transference of the flavor into the turkey. Otherwise, you have the makings of an awesome brine.
